Operation Vantage

Kuwait gained independence from Britain in mid 1961 and almost immediately was threatened by a territorial claim from Iraq. The Amir of Kuwait appealed to Britain for defence aid, which was rapidly deployed, whilst the Arab League was preparing a local force for Kuwaiti defence.

42 Commando was already embarked on HMS Bulwark, which had sailed from the Karachi on 29 Jun and they were landed by 848 NAS helicopters on 1 Jul, while Bulwark provided an initial coordinating, offshore air traffic service. Other units were flown in by RAF Transport Command, for instance HQ 24 Brigade from Kenya, 11th Hussars and 45 Commando from Aden. Half a squadron of tanks from 3rd Dragoon Guards was unloaded by the LST, HMS Striker. They were joined by HMS Victorious (sailed from Singapore, arrived 9 Jul) and its non-helicopter capable escorts, then by HMS Centaur (sailed from Gibraltar via Aden), offshore. Fixed wing support operated from RAF Bahrain and relied on theatre control from Victorious, which had relieved Bulwark of this duty.

By mid August, tension had eased and Arab troops had begun to relieve British units, but the final British troops did not depart until mid October 1961.

It would be almost 30 years before Iraq did invade Kuwait and an international force was sent to recover it.